The Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs will host the graduation ceremony for the Mexican students participating in “Youth in Action: A Bilateral Partnership for Leadership in Civic Engagement” on Thursday, August 19, 2010, at the U.S. Department of State, Loy Henderson Auditorium. Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for North America in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs Alex Lee and Deputy Chief of Mission for the Embassy of Mexico Mabel Gomez will give the keynote remarks at 10 a.m.

Youth in Action: A Bilateral Partnership for Leadership in Social Engagement (Jóvenes en Acción: Una Alianza Binacional de Liderazgo en Compromiso Social) is a unique exchange program established by the Department of State through its Embassy in Mexico and Mexico’s Secretariat of Public Education (SEP). The program offers Mexican youth the opportunity to study and develop their leadership skills in the United States. This program is funded as a joint initiative between the two governments in collaboration with the private sector and implemented by AYUSA International. The 50 participants have been living and working alongside American counterparts in Berkeley, CA for four weeks. At the August 19 event, they will present their community projects, which they will implement upon return to Mexico. Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Ann Stock will address the students after their presentations.

Keynote remarks will be open to the press.

Pre-set time for cameras is 8:45 a.m. from the 23rd Street entrance.

Final access times for writers and stills is 9:45 a.m. from the 23rd Street entrance.

Media representatives may attend this event upon presentation of one of the following: (1) a U.S. Government-issued identification card (Department of State, White House, Congress, Department of Defense, or Foreign Press Center), (2) a media-issued photo identification card, or (3) a letter from their employer on letterhead verifying their employment as a journalist, accompanied by an official photo identification card (driver's license, passport).

PRESS CONTACT:

Darla JordanBureau of Western Hemisphere AffairsU.S. Department of State(202) 647-4252Wha-Press@State.Gov